Congresswoman Brooks shares info on shutdown

Saturday, December 22, 2018 8:35 AM

Indiana Congresswoman Susan Brooks, R, 5th District, sent a press release with some information on the government shutdown. The Sheridan News shares her release in its entirety:
At midnight on December 21, 2018, funding for the federal government expired. We are currently operating under what is called “a lapse in appropriations” – that is, a partial government shutdown, because we still need to fund for Fiscal Year 2019 the federal Departments of Homeland Security, Agriculture, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, State, Interior, Commerce, and Justice.
The Departments of Defense, Veterans Affairs, Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Energy, as well as the Legislative Branch and United States Postal Service have already been funded and will continue to operate without disruption.
I voted to keep the government open, which included voting to strengthen border security and provide relief to communities struggling to rebuild after devastation caused by natural disasters. It is government’s job to work together to fund the government and I am disappointed my colleagues in the Senate have not yet voted.
Because the government has not been fully funded, this morning, I submitted a letter requesting that my pay be withheld for the duration of the shutdown. My offices will remain accessible for constituents who need services during the shutdown.
Please know that during this time, government programs involving the safety of human life or the protection of property continue to fully operate.
What this means for you according to the Office of Management and Budget:HOLIDAY TRAVEL:

PLANES: Air travel will not be affected, meaning Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) airport functions will continue to operate. Air traffic controllers, critical airline safety inspections and the registration of aircraft would also continue to work if a government shutdown occurs.

TRAINS: Amtrak will continue its normal operations during a short-term shutdown. Railroad inspectors and accident investigators at the Federal Railroad Administration will remain at work.

PASSPORTS: Consular operations domestically and abroad will remain fully operational as long as there are sufficient fees to support operations. However, if a passport agency is located in a government building affected by a lapse in appropriations, the facility may become unsupported. The continuance of consular operations in such instances will be treated on a case-by-case basis by the Office of the Under Secretary for Management.

MEDICARE & SOCIAL SECURITY:

Medicare services for current beneficiaries will continue without interruption. Social Security and Supplemental Security Income payments to beneficiaries will continue with no change in payment dates.

BORDER SECURITY:

The vast majority of Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement workers will stay on the job if there's a shutdown.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE:

At the Federal Emergency Management Agency, almost 90 percent of the agency's more than 20,000 employees are exempt from furlough, according to a contingency plan released in March of this year. Nor will the shutdown halt FEMA's disaster payments, which go to victims of recent hurricanes, wildfires and other emergencies.

HEALTH, SAFETY & NEEDED SERVICES:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will continue inspecting agricultural products. The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s homeless assistance grants, including support for veterans, will continue to operate. The Department of Justice activities that involve the safety of human life and protection of life and property will continue.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE:

National Park Service roads, lookouts, trails and open-air memorials will generally remain open. The park service won't provide visitor services, including restrooms, collecting trash and plowing roads. Campgrounds, boat ramps and other recreational sites overseen by the Bureau of Land Management will stay open, but restrooms will be locked and water systems will be shut down. Campgrounds, picnic areas and boat launches operated by the Forest Service funded by user fees will remain open.

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